Pizza is a fascinating thing. As long as a few factors are met, you can adjust toppings, cheese, and sauce, and it’s still a pizza. That’s a lot like hearing loss. But as long as you have trouble hearing sound, it’s still hearing loss whether it’s due to genetic factors, age, obstructions, or exposure to loud noise.
Limiting the damage is the first step you should take when confronted with hearing loss of any type. You can, after all, take some simple steps to limit further damage and safeguard your ears.
Tip 1: Clean your ears
Did you clean behind your ears? It’s one of those childhood hygiene lessons you learn, or should have learned, right? But it’s inside of your ears that we’re worried about here, when it comes to hearing health, not behind your ears.
Keeping your ears clear of wax buildup can help your hearing in a number of different ways:
- Your chance of getting an ear infection is increased if your ears aren’t kept clean and that can result in swelling which will obstruct your hearing. Your hearing will usually return to normal when the infection clears.
- When wax accumulation becomes substantial, it can prevent soundwaves from reaching your inner ear. When this occurs you won’t be capable of hearing as well.
- If you use a hearing aid, earwax can also impact that. This might make you think that your hearing is starting to fail.
A cotton swab is absolutely not the best tool to use to clear any earwax that you may have noticed out and is strongly discouraged. In most cases, a cotton swab will worsen the problem or cause added damage. Over-the-counter ear drops are encouraged as an alternative.
Tip 2: Very loud noises should be averted
This one is so intuitive it almost shouldn’t be on this list. The issue is that the majority of individuals are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. For example, highway driving can be loud enough to damage your ears over a long amount of time. Your ears can also be harmed by frequent use of your lawn mower. As you can see, it isn’t just blaring speakers or raucous rock concerts that damage your ears.
Some practical ways to stay away from damaging noises include:
- Using an app on your phone to alert you when volumes reach unsafe levels.
- Abstaining from turning up the volume on your headphones when you’re viewing videos or listening to music. Most phones feature built-in alerts when you’re approaching a damaging limit.
- Using hearing protection when noisy environments are unavoidable. Do you work on a loud factory floor? It’s fine if you want to attend that rock concert. But you should use the correct ear protection. Modern earmuffs and earplugs supply sufficient protection.
The damage to your ears from loud noises will progress gradually. So don’t just assume that your hearing is okay after a loud event, even if it feels fine. We can only help you figure out if you have hearing loss if you call for an appointment.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, deal with it
Generally speaking, hearing loss is progressive. So, the earlier you catch the damage, the better you’ll be able to avoid further damage. That’s why treatment is tremendously important in terms of minimizing hearing loss. Your hearing will be in the best situation if you get treatment and follow through with it.
Treatment works like this:
- Hearing aids reduce the brain strain and social isolation that exacerbate hearing loss-related health conditions.
- When you come in for a consultation we will provide personalized guidance and advice to help you avoid further damage to your ears.
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by using hearing aids. If you’re using hearing aids, for instance, you won’t always need to turn volumes up to damaging levels. Because hearing aids prevent this damage, they can also prevent further degeneration of your hearing.
Limit hearing loss – it will benefit you over the long haul
Despite the fact that we’re not able to cure hearing loss, we are doing hard work to help you minimize further damage. Treatment of hearing loss is usually one of the best approaches to that. Your current level of hearing will be protected and hearing loss will be prevented from getting worse with the proper treatment.
When you use ear protection, maintain good hygiene, and pursue hearing loss treatment with us, you’re taking the correct measures to prevent hearing loss while also giving yourself the best opportunity for healthy hearing in the years to come.